How much greater in HU is a normal liver compared to the spleen?

In computed tomography (CT), Hounsfield Units (HU) are used to quantify radiodensity, allowing for the differentiation of various tissues based on their composition and density. In this context, the normal liver typically has a higher attenuation coefficient than the spleen due to its different cellular structure and composition.

Normal liver tissue generally has an HU value that ranges from approximately 50 to 70, while the spleen ranges from approximately 40 to 60 HU. This indicates that the liver is denser than the spleen, contributing to a noticeable difference in their HU values.

Taking an average value, it is commonly accepted that the liver is around 10 HU greater than the spleen. The correct choice here reflects this established difference. Understanding this relationship is crucial for radiologic interpretation, particularly in assessing hepatic conditions where the density of liver tissue may be altered compared to adjacent structures like the spleen.